Chapter 2: The Wind Spirits

“Wind spirit? I apologize, but I have not heard of such a thing before.” I bow my head in apology.

“It’s not an issue,” Sliphnir waves his hand, “raise your head. It is understandable that someone from another world would not know where they are.”

I raise my head and carefully look at the wind spirit. It has the features of a human, speaks a language similar to one of the Elven languages I was taught, and knows I’m from another world.

“How do you know I am from another world, please forgive my rudeness.”

“I don’t mind it, you seem like a nice person. Alas, there are no humans on this planet. They have long since died off and nature started to rule this planet.”

“Wow.”

“It is indeed quite amazing. However, some may not take kindly to your presence here.”

“It makes sense. I am an outsider.”

“So, where did you come from and how do you already know the language? It is very, very suspicious.”

“Ah, I guess it would seem like that. I’ve been studying languages for as long as I can remember. When I was born in my world, there were records of other worlds within my own. One day I was traveling from town to town and got stuck in a high level magic trap and here I am.”

“Oh? Your world had magic as well?”

“It did.”

“Can you use any?”

“Why would I have studied languages if I could use magic?”

“Fair reasoning indeed.”

There was an awkward silence in the air, but Miria speaks in to my mind.

“This world is amazing. The mana concentration is trillions of times higher than your world.” I have to ignore this for now.

“So, where is the nearest town?” I suddenly ask, ending the silence.

“It is just a short walk away. Since you are unable to use flight magic, I will walk there with you.”

“It is greatly appreciated Sliphnir.”

“No, the pleasure is all mine. A human is something only recorded in books and ancient texts.”

“If that is the case, how were you able to recognize me?”

“Ah, that is something you will have to ask someone else to explain, I am not knowledgeable enough on the subject. The village elder will help explain.”

 “They probably looked at the mana density within your body, which is not small by the way. It has been increasing since we got here, oddly enough.”

”It’d be nice if I could finally use magic though.”

“Ah, you might be able to with some help.” Sliphnir responds, thinking I was speaking to him. I really do have to be careful when talking to Miria.

I walk through the dense forest with Sliphnir guiding me. The trees have a white bark and purple leaves. The grass is green and short, barely reaching our ankles.

I do not hear a single animal, the only sounds I hear are the sounds of myself walking through the grass, occasionally stepping on twigs.

“Hey Sliphnir, why is it so quiet?” The silence bothering me, I ask Sliphnir.

“It is because this area is the wind spirit’s area. No beast dares to enter our territory. Any animal that enters is usually killed by our scouts.”

“I feel like I’ve come to the wrong place.”

“You probably have. After entering the village, many will question me, after all I was sent out of the village for a scouting task.”

“Scouting task?”

“Yes, the village elder said exactly this: ‘All available scouts, leave now and look through the forest for a human.’ And nothing more. All of us were then told to go.”

“Strange indeed. I am sure everything will be just fine though.” I say this calmly even though I am panicking on the inside.

“Be careful Alex. We need to find out why they know you were arriving. Since they knew you were arriving, they must also know that I am here.”

I nod my head and stay quiet. Making sure that Miria saw me nod.

I continue walking with Sliphnir until we arrive at the front of the village.

High walls made of a white stone. The wall looks incredibly sturdy, a smooth surface all the way around, not a single crack, it even look brand new, yet has an ancient feel to it.

The gates are a green wood, guarded by tens of people that look quite similar to Sliphnir. 

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As soon as the guards notice us, two guards run to the interior of the walls, presumably to report either my arrival, or Sliphnir’s return. The other guards stand still and watch as we move to the gate.

“Brothers, I have returned and completed the task that was given to me.”

“Good job Sliphnir. Please, come this way. Can the human understand us even?” The man dressed in armor, which I presume is the guards’ armor, looks at me with scorn.

“My name is Alex, it is my pleasure to meet you.” I bow slightly, but keep an eye on the guard. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.

“Very well. Alex, Sliphnir, come this way.”

Oh, he stayed composed. As expected of an actual guard.

Sliphnir and I follow the guard in to the town. As we walk through the streets, I notice that the people look almost identical. It is difficult for me to tell them apart from each other. I feel bad for saying it, but they look so similar it is almost creepy.

“We have arrived.” The guard motions towards the door. “Please enter as quickly as possible, the village elder was awaiting for your arrival.”

I nod my head as I walk in, Sliphnir right behind me. The house we walked into is rather small, just like the rest of the houses in the village. The houses were made of the same material as the wall around the village.

After I enter, I see a thin woman with grayish-yellow hair. Her frame on the small side. Yet she seemed wise. She is sitting at a desk with her legs crossed and arms folded.

“Welcome, Alex. How were your travels?”

“Good. The wind spirits are nice people.” I nod my head politely.

“That’s good. Now then, to the main topic, but first, why not have a seat?” She points to a chair behind the desk. “Also, Sliphnir, thank you for your hard work, signal for the non-routine scouts to come back. You will be rewarded greatly for your hard work.”

“Yes Elder. Right away.” Sliphnir then walks out of the room.

I silently look at the wind spirit. She looks back at me with her green eyes.

“Alex, why are you here?”

“I am here by complete accident. I was wandering from a village towards another and got caught in a high level magic. Now I am here. It was not my intention to trespass on your lands.”

“I see. What is it that you wish to do?” The Village Elder stands up.

“I wish to live my life.”

“Amazing. It is amazing that you have such mental strength. You are not in your original world, but you are not even curious as to how to go back, nor how I was able to figure out your arrival.”

“Even though I may be curious about how you were able to figure out that I was coming to this world, it doesn’t matter so much to me. I made a promise to someone rather close to me that I would live, and find a way to live longer.”

“I see.” The village elder moves to a small opening in the wall to look outside. “Two days ago, I was told to expect two visitors to my village. One has come, but the other, I was told no information about.”

“Isn’t that odd? To be told to expect someone that is from a race that has been extinct for many years?”

“Indeed, but I was told it by someone rather trustworthy. They said the two would arrive together and to welcome them both. The second visitor was not given a description, a name, nor a specified race.”

“That’s strange.”

“I was, however, told that you would know them.”

“Oh?”

“I was also told that you are the only person it can communicate to. This seems rather unreasonable though. Don’t you think?”

“I agree. How would a human like me, which is unable to use any magic, be able to communicate with something a mighty spirit like yourself can’t?”

“Flattery will get you everywhere in this world, but this is not the right time, Alex.” The woman looks at me with a look of slight agitation. “I know you know who this other is.”

“To be honest, I don’t really know what they are either. To be fair though, neither does she.”

“She?” The village elder tilts her head.

“Yep. It is a she which is only able to communicate with me, despite her tries to communicate with others. She is not able to interact with the world in any way, shape or form. However, her voice can sound in my mind when she wishes to talk. In fact, she is beside me right now.”

“Oh?” The village elder looks to my side. “Is there any way you can prove this?”

“How would a human know your language?”

“True, then maybe your story of getting caught in high class magic is also a fabrication?”

“It might be. However, every ten years, this girl will transfer to a new world, I was brought along for the ride.”

“A rather risky maneuver if you don’t mind me saying. What would happen if the planet was not habitable by your race?”

“A risk I was willing to take to stay with her.” I smile lightly and see Miria smiling at me.

“How chivalric of you.” The village elder says with sarcasm. I just continue to smile. “Okay. I’m trying to think of something for you to do, but all I was told was that you would be arriving here. I was not told anything beyond that.”

“Like I said, my only goal is to live my life.”

“I guess that seems to be true. So you will stay here for ten years, then move to the next world potentially dying again?”

“Yep, ‘tis the life of a vagrant like me.”

“Vagrant? That word must not translate well between languages. You don’t seem to be begging for shelter or food.”

“Ah, it was a poor choice of words, perhaps wanderer would be better.”

“I’d more say a traveler. After all, a wanderer has no set goal in mind when moving around the world, but you have a goal. It seems to be set in stone as well.”

“My goal is not really all that defined though. My goal is just to live my life.”

“So you say, but I believe the girl you are with has different goals in mind. Considering your reactions and explanations, I believe you two are closer than companions.”

“I guess there is no reason to hide it. She asked me to marry her before we came to this world.”

“Of course you said yes, right?”

“Yeah, I had no reason not to.”

Silence fills the room. An awkward atmosphere slowly engulfing us.

“Ask if there is anyone willing to teach us magic.” Miria talks to me and I nod. I just noticed that Miria is speaking in the Elven language now.

“Miria asks if there is anyone who would be willing to teach us magic within this village.” I ask the village elder.

“Oh? She has a name? I was told she had no name two days ago.”

“I named her not too long before the transfer. So it makes sense that two days ago she did not have a name.”

“Ah, okay. Also, I will take the task upon myself to attempt to teach you magic. These days, nothing much happens within the village. I do not care for large cities either, so I stay here despite my boredom.”

“Thank you village elder.”

“Please, call me Lynnoria”

“Lynn?”

“Good enough. It has been a while since I have been called ‘Lynn’ though.”

“I apologize if it is rude, but Lynnoria is a mouthful for someone like me. Sorry for being too familiar with you.”

“No, I don’t mind it at all. It makes me feel young again.”

“You already look very young. I don’t see any issues.”

“Ah, so much flattery from a human. I was not told humans were this nice. From all historic records, it tells that humans were a proud race, arrogant even. It lead to their downfall and eventually, extinction.”

“I’d believe it. In my world I was outcast, not for talking to Miria all day every day. Well, that didn’t help, but it was because I was unable to use the magic of my world, nor was I as strong as people who became swordsman and the like.”

“An outcast?”

“Yeah, I was given a few chickens and crop seeds and lived on my own for roughly five years, maybe more.”

“Five years, three months, nine days, three hours and fifty two seconds, to be exact.”

“That is a long time to spend alone with someone, no wonder you fell in love. So, when would you like to start learning magic?” Lynn sits back in her chair.

I look down at my stomach as it growls.

“If it is not too much to ask, I would like some food. Sadly, as a human, I need to eat things to survive.”

“Not a problem. We spirits even need to eat every now and then, so it isn’t like we do not have food around.”

“Thank you very much for your kindness.”

“Kindness? No, just think of it as an investment.” Lynn smiles mischievously.